Fifth-wheel.



Patented June 5, I900.

W. J. HOLM ES.

FIFTH WHEEL.

(Application filed Oct. 5, 1899. Renewed Muy 14, 1900.)

(N0 Medal wituaweo N w J figll gg bl'oz @WQRM r l I GHQ 1mm 5 NITED STATES WILLIAM J. HOLMES, OF UTICA, NEW YORK.

FIFTH-WHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 651,331, dated June 5, 1900. Application filed October 5, 1899. Renewed May 14,1900. Serial No. 16,690. (No modem To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. HOLMES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Utica, in the county of Oneida and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fifth -Wheels; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,

and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in vehicles, and more particularly to the fifth-wheels thereof; and its object, among other things, is to provide a rollerbearing wheel of simple and durable construction, which may be readily manufactured, is inexpensive, and which will be easy and smooth in operation.

To these ends the invention consists in the novel constructions and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, showing the preferred form of my invention, and in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of the bed or bottom plate of the wheel. Fig. 2 is a section on line 2 2, Fig. 1,with the top plate in position thereon. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the bedplate. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of a roller. Referringto said figures by letters of reference, Ais the bottom or bed plate of the wheel, mounted in the usual manner and provided upon its upper surface with preferably four recesses B, having parallel sides concentric with the circumference of the bed-plate. These recesses are each less than one-quarter of a circumference in length and are oppositely disposed, as shown. Within the center of the bottom I) of each recess are preferably two slots 0, extending from the ends of the recess toward each other and for the purpose hereinafter described.

Upon the upper surface of the plate A and between the recesses and the-outer edge of the plate is a bead D, struck up from the plate and concentric with the edge of said plate A. The lower surface of the plate is also provided with beads E, which do not, however, extend in one continuous circle, but are arranged along the outer edge parallel to the slots 0 and of the same length as the recesses 13.

Within each of the recesses B is mounted a roller F, adapted to travel freely therein and extending but slightly above the upper edge of the beads D. These rollers are preferably slightly tapered from the center toward the ends, thereby reducing to the minimum the amount of surface in contact with the top plate G of the wheel, and its inner end is preferably of smaller diameter than its outer end. The bottoms of the recesses B are shaped so as to conform to the contour of the rollers, thereby retaining the surface thereof in proper relation to the top plate G. This top plate is of ordinary construction and pivoted in the usual manner.

It is obvious that in operation the rollers will travel within the recesses B when the top plate is moved thereupon. Should any dirt or any other foreign matter become lodged within the recesses, the same will sift through the slots 0, the inclined bottom I) assisting this action. The free movement of the rollers at all times is thus insured.

The beads upon the surfaces of the bedplate serve to strengthen the same and prevent springing thereof when clamped, and it will be noticed that the lower beads are so ar ranged as to offset any weakness in the plate occasioned by the recesses therein.

While I have illustrated my invention as applied to a circular fifth-wheel, it will be obvious that the same can be used equallyas well on a three-quarters fifth-wheel. Also, if desired, the slots 0 may be extended the entire length of each of the recesses B.

It will be understood that the portions of my fifth-wheel may be readily struck up from suitable blanks.

In the foregoing description I have described the preferred form of my invention;

but I do not limit myself thereto, as I am aware that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advantages thereof, and I therefore reserve the right to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- V A fifth-wheel comprising a bed-plate, havin g recesses in the upper surface thereof, slots in the center of the bottom of each recess, said bottom tapered downwardly toward the center, beads upon the surfaces of the bedplate adjacent to the recesses and slots, roll- IO ers tapered toward their ends and loosely mounted upon the tapered bottom of the recesses, and a top plate bearing upon the raised portion of the rollers, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflixmy signature [5 in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM J. HOLMES. Witnesses:

CHARLES M. KENNEDY, MYLEs J: SINNOTT. 

